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    Ski Season is Here! Check Out This Award Winning Alternative To Niseko

    Just down the road from Niseko is a magical winter wonderland so full of things to do in the snow, you’ll have to make time for skiing.

    Rusutsu Village, Hokkaido, Japan

    For the third year running, Rusutsu has won Japan’s Best Ski Resort and Japan’s Best Ski Hotel awards for very good reasons. This village offers so much more than world class skiing. Located about 30 minutes outside Niseko, you’ll find incredible snow, a large variety of terrain for varying abilities, beautiful views and a huge array of off-slope activities. Beyond skiing, you can take the family on a dog sledding adventure, go ice fishing, ride snowmobiles / snow bikes / snow rafts or take a horseback ride. But wait…there’s more. You’ll have to see for yourself. With three unique mountains, interconnected by a gondola, Rusutsu has 37 exciting trails for beginners and experts alike to explore. This is the perfect destination for your first winter holiday or your one hundredth. You’ll love the unbelievably soft powder, uncrowded trails and beautiful woodland scenery.

    Accommodation

    The Westin Resort Rusutsu

    Stay 5 Star with spacious rooms, one or two bedroom suites or bi-level traditional rooms and enjoy majestic views of Mount Yotei. This family-friendly ski-in/ski-out resort has three restaurants, a golf course, free self-parking, a spa, 24-hour fitness centre and access to all the fun snow activities you could dream up. Premium bedding and pillow menus welcome you to a good night’s rest. Each morning buffet breakfast is served between 7 AM and 9 AM. There’s also the convenience of a free area shuttle. You’ll be 27.6 km from Niseko Village and 31.3 km from Niseko Mountain Resort Grand Hirafu. Voted Japan’s Best Ski Hotel 2018.

    Rusutsu Resort Hotel and Convention

    A winner of Agoda’s The Gold Circle Award 2019. Come enjoy an award winning resort full of options. Choose from a double or triple room, Japanese style room, deluxe family room or junior suite. Not only will you find luxury and comfort here, to ensure guests have a fantastic stay, the hotel attractions include musical fountains, a 2-story carousel, arcade with a 4D theater and lots of activities to keep the whole family entertained.13, Izumikawa, Rusutsu, Hokkaido 3077 4857.

    Rusutsu Resort Log Houses & Cottages

    If you are going skiing with a big group, a log house might be perfect for your tribe. Choose from a range of cabins to suit parties of 6 to 24 guests. These charming log houses make for a great winter retreat. For smaller groups who still want the cabin experience, cottages might be the way to go. For groups up to six people, you can stay in a a ski-in/ski-out cabin in the woods.

    Rusutsu Holiday Chalet

    If you want to stay in your very own traditional Japanese ski chalet with picturesque views on Mount Yotei, check out this lovely holiday home with traditional tatami rooms. You will have exclusive use of the whole chalet including five bedrooms, two bathrooms, two toilets, dining room, lounge and one tatami room that doubles as a bedroom. [email protected]

    327-1 Toyooka, Rusutsu, Abuta District, Hokkaido 048-1712, Japan.

    Getting there

    There are direct flights from Hong Kong on Cathay Pacific and Hong Kong Airlines to Sapporo as well as a number of options via Tokyo, Seoul or Taipei. Once you arrive at the New Chitose Airport in Sapporo, it’s a quick 90 minute journey to Rusutsu. Rustusu is located approximately 30km from Niseko’s Grand Hirafu ski village

    Tip: Book your shuttle bus as soon as you book your flight, they tend to fill up in high season.

    FEATURED

    Tiffany Beeson
    Tiffany Beeson is a content writer, editor, and copywriter covering health, parenting, education, families, and lifestyle plus global real estate and finance sectors. Tiffany has contributed to large global publications in scientific research and holds a Master of Science degree in Physiology. She spent over 18 years of her career in the field of clinical research in the USA, Hong Kong, Europe, and Canada - writing protocols, standard operating procedures and data reports.

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